The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that a new Boxed Warning detailing potentially dangerous side effects for two popular prescription quit aids, Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride) and Chantix (varenicline tartrate) will now be required on product labels.
Manufacturers of these drugs must post warnings that alert health care providers about changes in behavior that may occur for patients using these drugs, and must also describe this information in Medication Guides for these products.
Reports of behavioral changes prompting this warning include:
- suicidal thoughts and/or actions
Bupropion, marketed as the antidepressant Wellbutrin, and generic versions of Zyban will also be required to carry the Boxed Warning.
Public Health Advisory From the FDA:
People who are taking Chantix or Zyban and experience any serious and unusual changes in mood or behavior or who feel like hurting themselves or someone else should stop taking the medicine and call their healthcare professional right away.
Friends or family members who notice these changes in behavior in someone who is taking Chantix or Zyban for smoking cessation should tell the person their concerns and recommend that he or she stop taking the drug and call a health care professional right away.
FDA Public Health Advisory Press Release
Zyban and Chantix ease symptoms of nicotine withdrawal by interacting with nicotine receptors in the brain and triggering mild, nicotine-like effects.
If you are using either of these drugs, don't panic. Consider these points:
- Chantix and Zyban are prescription medications for a reason. They carry a certain set of risks for the user, as do most prescription drugs. This is why it is imperative that a treatment plan be administered by your doctor, who knows your personal medical history best.
- Chantix and Zyban have not been taken off the market. The side effects, while potentially serious, affect a small percentage of those who use these drugs. Tobacco products, on the other hand, kills upwards of 50 percent of those who use them long-term.
It's a tragic fact that a human life is snuffed out
every 8 seconds somewhere in the world because of tobacco use today. And if trends continue unchanged, estimates put death by tobacco at
one billion this century.
To date, many thousands of people have been able to quit smoking successfully with the help of Zyban and Chantix. While these drugs are not the answer for everyone, they are valid options that widen the choices available to smokers looking for a way to kick this deadly addiction to the curb.
If you're taking Chantix or Zyban and have concerns about the safety of these drugs, please speak to your doctor. And if you begin to experience any unusual changes in behavior or any other side effects that concern you, get in touch with your health care provider immediately.
If you're a smoker looking for a quit aid to help you over the hump of nicotine withdrawal, have a chat with your doctor to weigh the pros and cons of the various choices available today.
Reasons vs. Excuses
When we quit smoking, thoughts that tempt us to light up can creep in and throw us off balance if we're not prepared for them. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons people break down and light up that first cigarette is due to junkie thinking.
So, how do we defeat unhealthy thoughts of smoking once we quit? Education about the recovery process and the mental contortions that our minds are likely to experience while withdrawing from nicotine addiction is a first step.
Most, if not all quitters experience powerful urges to give in and smoke early on. We justify and rationalize that we have good reasons to smoke, however the reality is that our reasons are always excuses, an important distinction.
I'd like to introduce you to Myssi, a member of our
support forum here at About.com Smoking Cessation. Through a number of quit attempts, Myssi learned how to blast through the excuses her mind threw at her early on and is now closing in completing her first smoke free year. Read Myssi's quit story and let it help you build the strong resolve that will take you away from nicotine addiction, once and for all.
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Take The Quit Smoking Monday Pledge
Healthy Monday encourages us to think of for ourselves. If you're still smoking, put your cigarettes down and get started on your quit program today.
We all have the ability to quit smoking successfully, and we all deserve a life that is free of addiction. Honor
your life by choosing Monday as the day to start and reinforce your quit program.
You can quit smoking ... and we're here to help you, one simple Monday at a time.
Image © healthymonday.org
With nearly 800 topics covered on About.com these days, there is certainly no shortage of good reading material available at your fingertips. This week I've selected several articles from around About.com to inspire you as you move through recovery from nicotine addiction and beyond.
Smoking Cessation Facebook Fan PageThe icky threes refer to particular phases of a person's quit program that can be bumpy and uncomfortable. Learn what to expect ahead of time as you move through the first few months of smoking cessation, and you'll be better prepared to succeed
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